Mark Stephen Taylor

ILLUMINATION, a Hike into the High Country, is the exhilarating story of searching for, discovering, and attempting to fulfill a purpose in life-your individual purpose. It can indeed be a most illuminating trek-if you're willing.Have you ever hiked the high places of the earth? Have you trekked through the deserts of the American southwest, or hiked among the formations in our many National Parks? Hiking can be quite inspirational and is good for you physically as well. Consider if you will that the human brain is more complex than any man-made computer will ever be. It can allow you some profound discoveries that have not yet surfaced-but in time could... Your trek through this particular writing may indeed be the most illuminating adventure of your lifetime...Are you ready? Hang on tight The greatest thing about this most descriptive author is that as you turn the pages, you will find yourself right there in the middle of it all-living and breathing the story, and perhaps find yourself gleaning essential and purposeful understanding...

There does not seem to be a predominant amount of respect for the Lord in these current times in which we live. Let's face it

Welcome This book, A Broken Spirit, a Contrite Heart, is book #8 in my Hiking the Trail of Truth series. I have received several requests regarding the subject matter, which material covers an in depth look for all of those who are willing and want to learn and to understand what God requires of them. And what does God require of you? Moses once answered, "To fear the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you this day for your good" (Deuteronomy 10:12,13). Micah completes this thought by saying that one is required to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). These are indeed spiritual sacrifices, not physical ones as were required under the old law. Jesus of course made the ultimate sacrifice, yet we as individuals are required to make important sacrifices as well, which is why this book was written. Our most essential sacrifice? The psalmist makes it clear: "O, Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For you do not desire sacrifice (physical) or I would give it. You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-These, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:15-17). Let us hike this section of the trail of truth together, dear reader, and let us endeavor to understand the depth and importance of this particular sacrifice required of us...a broken spirit, a contrite heart... Sincerely, M S Taylor

Bear Claw is the renown Chief of 1870's Lone Pine California Shoshone in the author's 'Lone Pine Western Series', which stirring arrangement includes; "Three Days in Lone Pine", "Still Waters, Legend of the White Wolf", and, "Moon of the White Wolf". Readers of this most enlightening series have expressed a desire to know more about Bear Claw-his roots, his upbringing, and details of the man's life prior to his first appearance as the aged and all-wise Shoshone Chief in, "Three Days in Lone Pine", first published in 2010. This particular edition of the series will attempt to satisfy that compelling desire, while at the same time bring to life an informative tale of Lone Pine's early days and the alluring characters that were a part of it. Lone Pine, just below the great Mt. Whitney, is indeed a unique place-even to this day. This historic California town of the old west is nestled among vast and colorful standing rock formations, where numerous pinnacles reach toward the sky in an awesome display. The author's well-written and notably descriptive tales do indeed come to life amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Mt. Whitney region. This most picturesque area has been used quite frequently as a scenic backdrop by the motion picture industry for over eight decades. And now, from this awe-inspiring backdrop, the author brings forth to his readers one of the most captivating tales in the Lone Pine Western Series...

The Florea & Holland Mystery Series Trilogy contains three of the award-winning author's favorite mystery editions, full of memorable characters and journeys into the American southwest's most scenic places. "The Secret of Monument Valley" kicks off the series and explores the disappearance of the Anasazi people from the land of New Mexico. "Treasure of the High Sierra" then takes our characters to Mount Whitney, highest mountain in the contiguous USA, where a search for old Spanish treasure leads to a hair-raising encounter with pirates long dead. The final edition in the series, "The Secret of Death Valley", unravels the Native American side of the legend regarding the 'moving rocks' at Racetrack Playa. Mr. Taylor truly brings his stories to life amidst these rugged and picturesque landscapes, and introduces characters to us in three stories based on actual events that we will indeed long remember. What are you waiting for? Let's then head into these scenic areas and get involved in the mysteries

The Lone Pine Western Series Trilogy contains three of the award-winning author's favorite western editions, full of memorable characters and Native American lore. "Three Days in Lone Pine" kicks off the series with a strange yet enlightening tale surrounding the historical first climbs (1873) of Mt. Whitney, highest peak in the contiguous USA, located amid the High Sierra Range of eastern California. The spirits of Indian legend regarding the early, ill-fated climbs do indeed come to life in this extremely well-written account, which brings an unforgettable cast of characters together and lays the groundwork for more of the same: "Still Waters: Legend of the White Wolf", and "Moon of the White Wolf" continue this unique series among the wondrous, standing rock formations of the area, where motion pictures have now been filmed for over eight decades. Mr. Taylor truly brings his stories to life amidst this rugged and picturesque landscape, and introduces characters to us that we will indeed long remember. What are you waiting for? Saddle up and ride along with us into the "Lone Pine Western Series"... Enjoy

This particular book was designed especially for all hikers who have a love of the high country. The volume contains daily meditations, quite carefully selected from the Bible, and arranged in a manner so as to teach, enlighten, and bring inspiration along the high trails. This is indeed a perpetual volume, in that it never ceases to encourage. The words of God endure forever, and so new insights are gleaned each time that we read through them, time after time.My personal wanderings into the high country were and continue to be my best times with God-alone or with others. It is there where I can so vividly encounter the wonders of His creation. My varied experiences and the grace of God have allowed me to indeed behold the supernatural through the natural amidst the high rocks, and among the vast, captivating desert landscapes as well. The Scriptures that I have selected for this devotional are like a mere drop of water in a heavy downpour of rain. Yet, a single drop of water in a barren wasteland would be a find of great significance to one who is truly thirsty-one who yearns for meaningful and satisfying enlightenment.I hope that you will choose to carry this edition of 'Mountain Meditations' along with you in your day-pouch or backpack the very next time you hike the high trails-or any trails for that matter. It can open your eyes to many things, as you associate the wonders around you with the entirely spiritual, Biblical precepts that you are about to read, meditate upon, and gain insight from each day. There is no human philosophy nor Biblical commentary associated with this volume. The Scriptures are the greatest treasure on earth, and in and of themselves serve to arouse the heart and stimulate ones thinking along the trail to maturity-nothing else is needed. They are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Have a great journey

Death Valley is a remote desert area located in eastern California. Situated within the Mojave Desert region, it features the lowest, driest, and hottest locations in all of North America. Badwater, a basin located within the Valley, is the specific point of the lowest elevation, at 282 feet below sea level. This area is only 84 miles east-south-east of Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States, with an elevation of 14,497 feet.One of the most interesting and challenging mysteries of Death Valley is the sliding rocks at 'Racetrack Playa' (a playa is a dry lake bed). These rocks can be found on the floor of the playa with long and distinct trails behind them. Yes, that's right-and no one knows for sure how these rocks move, and no one has ever reported actually seeing them move-but they do move great distances, some of them weighing several hundred pounds Treasure hunter Rod Florea and tracker/cartographer Mitch Holland are about to confront this mystery-as they go in search of Spotted Elk, a Native American friend (The Secret of Monument Valley), who while on a personal quest has suddenly turned up missing in the far reaches of Death Valley-somewhere within the parched and desolate region known as Racetrack Playa...Are you ready? Hang on tight The greatest thing about this particular author is that as you turn the pages, you will find yourself right there in the middle of it all-living and breathing the story

* The Secret of Monument Valley(Volume 2 in the Florea/Holland Mystery Series)... According to the so-called experts, in about 1450 AD, an exceedingly prosperous generation of Native Americans, known then as the Anasazi, vanished from their strongholds in the American Southwest--disappeared without so much as a trace. However, the Native Americans of the present day Navajo Nation dispute the theoretical findings of modern day archeologists and anthropologists. In fact, the Navajos claim that a sovereign remnant of the Anasazi currently dwells among them It's time to tag along once again with treasure hunter, Rod Florea, and trail expert, Mitch Holland (Prequel: The Sun, The Glass, and the Leaning Rock), as they make a predestined journey into the desert southwest, most eager to solve this enduring mystery once and for all. Based on actual accounts from Native American residents of the Navajo Nation, award-winning author Mark Stephen Taylor thrusts his characters into the heart of this most interesting controversy. What they must endure is indeed most shocking. What they will find is most profoundly enlightening Florea and Holland, accompanied by White Eagle, who claims to be the last surviving elder of the Anasazi, challenge the prevailing philosophies, following a five hundred year old trail from Chaco Canyon across the rugged, desert southwest into Monument Valley. It is along this trail and among the towering sentinels of the Navajo Tribal Park that the secret of Monument Valley and the trail of the Anasazi are revealed to the world. Are you ready to hike along? Watch out for the opposing forces, which stem from the very halls of government, and will resort even to kidnapping and murder to thwart the purpose of this monumental journey